© 2014 The Texas Lawbook.
By Natalie Posgate and Paige Kerley – DALLAS (August 26) – If you never thought a film starring the Hollywood duo of Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn could influence how a law firm does business, you’re in for a surprise.
Last summer, after watching “The Internship,” Akin Gump partner Eliot Raffkind felt inspired to pursue some office renovations similar to the movie’s portrayal of Google’s high-tech offices. The movie sparked an idea for Raffkind, who had been in talks with Dallas office partner-in-charge Ken Menges and others about exploring renovations for the firm’s Big D office.
Akin Gump and many other law firms have either discussed or already ditched their old leases in classic downtown skyscrapers to opt for tech-industry inspired office spaces that are more modern, eco-friendly and space efficient.
But unlike most other law firms, Akin Gump’s Dallas office is testing out these new features before even relocating. Attorneys from the firm’s investment funds practice group raised their hands to be the guinea pigs.
After nine months of renovation, the space for the 15-attorney practice group – which Raffkind is a part of – opened this spring. Designed by Kenneth Reese’s firm, Space Consultants, the space features treadmills with desk space for laptops, offices with sliding doors, walls that also serve as whiteboards, and more.
If the new amenities continue to be well-received, they could serve as inspiration for the design of a new Dallas office – if Akin Gump decides to relocate down the road, Menges said.
The attorneys said the renovations brought operational benefits beyond the immediate fact that the new space was more aesthetically pleasing.
“The traditional law firm layout is a really poor use of space,” said Burke McDavid, a partner in the investment funds practice group who spearheaded the renovation efforts with Raffkind. “Aside from lawyer compensation, real estate is the biggest cost.”
Menges agreed.
“It’s frankly a modern approach to doing business,” he said. “It’s great for lower [costs of] services, which in our competitive environment is critical.”
Raffkind said this is the biggest benefit of the renovations because they bolster efficiency and collaboration among the attorneys so they can better serve their clients.
“Lawyers have never historically used the word ‘efficient,’ ” he said. “[Today] more and more clients are demanding it.”
While the idea of tech-industry inspired offices is a developing one for Akin Gump and other law firms, the attorneys said it’s not as cutting edge to the rest of the world.
“To some extent, it’s indicative that lawyers are a little behind the rest of the world,” Raffkind said. “These concepts are not necessarily novel at all.”
Though the space is popular now, Raffkind said there were some skeptics at first, which echoes the idea that lawyers have been known to always be “risk adverse and change adverse.”
Some of the new space’s features include communal areas with tables that have TV monitors for screen sharing, an area with stadium seating for group meetings, and a large TV in the middle of the office space that is constantly tuned into CNBC – which helps the attorneys stay updated in real time with what is happening to their clients in the market.
“It’s good to walk by and see what the market’s doing to figure out if it’s a good time or not to call,” Raffkind said. “If it’s the end of the day and the market’s about to close, you might say, ‘Why don’t we make that call in 20 minutes?’”
To prevent the stiffness associated with sitting at a computer all day, every attorney’s desk is height-adjustable to provide the option to stand while working. Those who want to move a little more can migrate their work to the treadmills, where they can plug in their laptops and move up to 2 miles per hour.
Menges, who leads the firm’s corporate practice, said he loves visiting the renovated space, but tries “not to lurk.”
“Ken has threatened to put on short workout shorts [to use the treadmill],” Raffkind chuckled.
Check out a slideshow below created by Texas Lawbook intern Paige Kerley featuring the Lawbook’s visit to Akin Gump Dallas’ hip new office space below.
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